We are all a part of the unique fabric of our communities. Each individual brings their own experiences, perspectives, and talents to create a diverse and vibrant tapestry that makes our communities strong and resilient. Together, we form a rich and dynamic patchwork that celebrates our differences and unites us in our shared humanity. Natasha Hill is an elected official whose service is woven throughout the Spokane community, now uniquely positioned to serve as Washington state representative for Legislative District 3.
Representative-elect Hill makes history as the first Black woman to serve in this seat, proving that being cut from a different cloth does not limit one’s ability to lead and make a positive impact. She acknowledged that this was a historical win not just for her, but for all of Spokane.
“We have opened the door for more people of color with lived experience to see themselves in positions of leadership,” Hill said.
Her dedication to inclusivity ensures that all voices are heard and valued in the legislative processes.
Recently, members of the community gathered at Jasmin-Hill Event Center to celebrate, hear from, and ask questions of Hill. Excitement and hope led the energy of the room. Mindfully, she took a moment to acknowledge that “there is a lot of fear, uncertainty, and discomfort that comes along with somebody new and different who doesn’t fit the mold that we are always expecting.”
Although this does not seem to be an issue for constituents on the west side of the state, Hill hopes to normalize and embrace diversity in all aspects of society, specifically for Spokane.
She emphasized the importance of listening to different perspectives, “getting comfortable with the uncomfortable and finding ways to learn and build from that.” She anticipates dealing with some “national issues that may feel really big” over the next four years, so she encourages “focusing on our local communities here in Spokane; looking to our friends, family, and neighbors to organize with and build with them.”
Hill shared that her focus will be on the bipartisan committees she plans to serve on: the capital budget, human services and early learning, and housing. Her interest in the capital budget involves “where and why we are spending our money and how that reflects our values.” She looks forward to the opportunity to examine improvements that may be made and figuring out how to efficiently manage and maintain the most important things. Understanding the priorities of childcare and providers, some of the transitions and changes that we are seeing with our ECEAP (Early Childhood Education Assistance Program) program, as well as the transition to kindergarten–working together with Spokane Public Schools–are all key areas of focus for Hill regarding human services and early learning.
Hill will serve as vice-chair of the housing committee.
“The focus on housing includes reproductive rights and labor. Labor always comes with a child care component because you can’t be in the workforce if you’re not taking care of your babies, and most of us are in the workforce so that we can take care of our babies,” Hill said.
Health and safety also play a role in housing, as access to affordable and safe housing is essential for overall well-being. Hill’s dedication to addressing these interconnected issues demonstrates her commitment to supporting families and children, as well as navigating a focus on immigrant and refugee communities. Her hope is that Spokane will model and show what a safety net and a support system looks like, helping to set the stage statewide.
“I think what we have here that is really valuable and something that we should all really embrace is our close connectedness,” Hill said.
Educating the community about their rights and equitable treatment will help people feel safe; intentional messaging that combats fear that is centered in facts and connectedness is crucial to Hill’s mission in being a conduit for creating a supportive environment for Spokane. Language access is one example provided by Hill of particularizing the great work being done by the state of Washington to Spokane – the communities here and the needs we have.
“Sometimes our population is not big enough to hit the benchmarks for those things (language access) to be required. This leaves us with a lot of people who are not getting their needs met. How do we fill those gaps in our local community with local organizations? How can we put in specific budget requests? How do we tailor some of those policies so that we are not missing that nuance for Spokane? We cannot afford to be left behind any longer,” Hills said.
Thinking from a forward perspective, Hill’s focus is on the most vulnerable of our community, improving outcomes for marginalized populations, and ensuring that all individuals have access to the resources they need to thrive.
Soon, Hill will make the trek to Olympia, taking her seat and adding her voice to legislative sessions. With a strong commitment to advocating for the needs of Spokane residents, Hill will work tirelessly to ensure that the voices of her constituents are heard at the state level. Her unique leadership, being cut from a different cloth, will bring fresh ideas and perspectives to the table, ultimately driving positive change in Spokane and beyond.
To learn more about Representative Natasha Hill, visit hilltothehouse.org.